Continence advisory service (bladder and bowel)

Bladder and bowel servicesCommunity Services in Hillingdon are now providing specialist adult bladder and bowel services in Harrow. The service operates from 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). It provides an assessment, advice and management service to patients with complex bladder and bowel conditions in order to ensure that the most appropriate treatment and products are prescribed.

Access to the serviceAccess to the service is by GP referral only. The Harrow service does not accept self-referral.

The service operates from 9.00am- 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). You will be seen in a safe and secure setting by an experienced specialist nurse.

Our care pledge is to ensure a positive patient experience that aims to provide excellent care for all our patients.

You will be at the centre of any planning for your health care and we will ask what is important to you. We will listen to your views, beliefs and personal information carefully and with respect.

My GP has referred me to the service - what now?Your GP has made a referral. This will be sent to the contact centre who will process your referral within 24 working hours and all patients will be seen within 28 working days.

If your appointment is urgent you will be contacted directly by our specialist nurse who will arrange for you to be seen within five working days. If your appointment is routine you will receive a letter of appointment with some forms that you will need to complete prior to your assessment.

It is important that you complete the forms, and bring them with you. This information will support the specialist nurse in the diagnosis and treatment of your condition.

What to expect at your appointmentWhen visiting us, please ensure you bring:

your appointment letter and the completed forms

details of any medication you are taking

a list of questions you want to ask, we want you to be at ease with your treatment at all times, please ask questions at any time.

On arrival you will be greeted by reception staff who will direct you to the waiting area. You will be asked to present the paperwork you were sent. This information will determine how best we can help you. If you have asked for an interpreter please tell us on arrival. After you have been assessed, your nurse may offer any of the following:

lifestyle advice

pelvic floor muscle training

bladder retraining

medication

appliances

The end of your treatmentOnce your treatment is complete, or should you require on-going treatment or investigations, we will inform your GP providing full details of our assessment and management of your condition.

You will be treated with respect and dignity at all times.

Cancelling or changing your appointmentIt is important that you tell us if you are unable to keep your appointment, or no longer need it. Please contact us on 01895 486 127. Please give at least 24 hours notice to let us know, so we can offer the appointment to someone else. We will rebook your appointment if it is still needed.

If you fail to attend your appointment on two consecutive occasions without telling us in advance you will be discharged and your GP will be informed.